Carol Burnett is my hero

Note: I wrote this in June 2015, but I still stand by it.

Enough has been written about Carol Burnett’s impact on the comedy world, and especially women in comedy, that I have nothing else to add but my own feelings of love and respect. I’m always struck not only by the quality of her work but by all the stories of people who’ve worked with her and been inspired by her, and how generous and open she is to others who write to her asking for advice or just expressing their admiration. A young Vicki Lawrence sends her a fan letter, including a newspaper clipping where the reporter remarks on her striking resemblance to Burnett – she then goes to see Lawrence perform and hires her to be on her show. Rosemary Watson writes a letter to Carol Burnett, who then Googles her, discovers her excellent Hillary Clinton impression, and invites her to perform at the Mark Twain awards – that will be the first time they meet in person.

I half-joke that Jack Donaghy from 30 Rock is my management idol, but really it’s Carol Burnett. I can see so clearly in all her sketches how much the cast enjoy working with each other, and how Carol holds them all together and brings the best out of everyone.

Watch the closing scene of the series finale of the Carol Burnett Show. Carol Burnett is dressed in her iconic cleaning woman attire, closing down the set one last time. The cast walks out and she bids them all goodbye, then gives an amazing speech about why she’s deciding to end the show, then thanks every single team that has brought her show to life, including the audience. Everyone who has had a part in her show gets face time and we all get to share in this moment. It is clear that this is her show and she is running it, but everyone gets credit. Her show and its success is for everyone, not just her.

I want to be this kind of leader. I want to build a team that works well together without egos getting in the way, and has fun at the same time. I want to ensure that everyone on my team can grow in the ways they want to, and that we can all rise up together and become great. I want to do work that makes a difference to people – not just our community members but within our team. I never want my ego to get in the way. I never want to forget where I came from. I never want to be “too busy” or “too important” to help others who are just getting started in any way I can.

And now some of my favorite clips, in no particular order:

Chuztpah

By The Time I Get to Phoenix

Outtakes: The Elephant Story

Charades

The Dentist

Went with the Wind